Goals from Leigh Griffiths and Eoin Doyle put Hibs in the driving seat before Gary Mackay-Steven pulled one back for United, who were ultimately unfortunate not to earn a share of the spoils.

Griffiths (19) opened the scoring with a spectacular volley into the roof of the net after a slide-rule pass from Paul Cairney put Doyle through to deliver a pinpoint cross to the back post.

Cairney was again the creator as Hibs doubled their lead on 53 minutes when he put the ball through Keith Watson's legs and laid a pass back for Doyle to rifle home from eight yards.

But United were given a lifeline two minutes later as a mix-up between Paul Hanlon and Ben Williams resulted in the keeper's heavy touch falling to Mackay-Steven and he passed the ball into the net from 20 yards.

They failed to force an equaliser, though, and Hibs took all three points.

Celtic appeared to be suffering a case of the Barcelona blues as they were held 1-1 at home by St Johnstone.

There was a tangible sense of anti-climax inside Celtic Park following the Hoops' historic 2-1 Champions League home win over the Catalan giants on Wednesday night and even when substitute Tony Watt, on at the break for Miku, put the home side ahead they did not look convincing.

Saints, who had been recently walloped 5-0 in the same venue in the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-finals, sensed a point was there for the taking and Nigel Hasselbaink levelled in the 76th minute to leave Celtic with two points from the last nine and two behind Hibs at the top of the table.

Parkhead manager Neil Lennon had warned against such a lacklustre display and could not have begrudged the Perth men a point.